Novel [1.2.4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrazine compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: ##STR00001## The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, pain, inflammation, and others.

Claim:

What is claimed is:

1. A compound according to formula III: ##STR00417## wherein R.sup.1 is H, or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R.sup.8 is ##STR00418## L is selected from a single bond,alkylene, --O--, --N(R.sup.8e)--, --CO--, --CO.sub.2--, --SO--, --SO.sub.2--, --CON(R.sup.8e)--, --SO.sub.2N(R.sup.8e)--, --N(R.sup.8e)CO--, --N(R.sup.8e)SO.sub.2--, --N(R.sup.8e)CO N(R.sup.8e)--, --N(R.sup.8e)SO.sub.2 N(R.sup.8e)--; --O(CR.sup.8e.sub.2).sub.m1--, or --CON(R.sup.8e)(CR.sup.8e.sub.2).sub.m1--; each R.sup.8a is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, and halo; R.sup.8d is selected from substituted or unsubstitutedheterocycloalkyl; R.sup.8e is selected from H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl and substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl; the subscript m1 is 1, 2, 3, or 4; the subscript n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and R.sup.9 is independently selected from substitutedor unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and stereoisomers and tautomers thereof.

2. A compound according to claim 1, wherein R.sup.8 is ##STR00419## wherein L, the subscript n, R.sup.8a, and R.sup.8d are as in claim 1.

3. A compound according to claim 2, wherein L is a single bond, --CO--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.m1--, --CON(H)(CH.sub.2).sub.m1--, or --NHCO--; the subscript m1 is selected from 1-4; and R.sup.8d is ##STR00420## and wherein the ring P issubstituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl.

4. A compound according to formula IVa, IVb, or IVc: ##STR00421## and wherein L is a single bond, --CO--, --O(CH.sub.2).sub.m1--, --CON(H)(CH.sub.2).sub.m1--, or --NHCO--; the subscript m1 is selected from 1-4; the ring P is substituted orunsubstituted heterocycloalkyl; the subscript n, is selected from 1-4; each R.sup.8a is independently selected from hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, cyano, and halo; and R.sup.9 is independently selected from substituted orunsubstituted aryl and heteroaryl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and stereoisomers and tautomers thereof.

5. A compound according to claim 4, wherein L is a single bond.

6. A compound according to claim 4, wherein L is --CO--.

7. A compound according to claim 4, wherein L is --NHCO--.

8. A compound according to claim 4, wherein L is --CON(H)--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--, or --N(H)--CO--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--.

9. A compound according to claim 4, wherein L is --OCH.sub.2--CH.sub.2-- or --NHCH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--.

10. A compound according to any one of claims 4-9, wherein the ring P is substituted or unsubstituted piperidine, morpholine or piperazine.

13. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula Va, Vb, Vd, or Ve: ##STR00422## and wherein R.sup.9 is as in claim 1 and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstitutedcycloalkyl.

14. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R.sup.8b is H.

15. A compound according to claim 13, wherein R.sup.8b is substituted or unsubstiuted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

21. A compound according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00423## and each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2 and A.sup.3 is independently selected from S, O, N, NR.sup.9a, and CR.sup.9a; each of R.sup.9a is independently H orsubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl; and R.sup.9b is CONH.sub.2, CONHMe, or CN.

22. A compound according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00424##

23. A compound according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00425##

24. A compound according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00426## and wherein the subscript m is selected from 1-4 and each R.sup.9d is independently H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or halo.

25. A compound according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00427## and wherein the subscript m is selected from 1-4 and each R.sup.9d is independently H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or halo.

26. A compound according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 13, wherein R.sup.9 is ##STR00428## and wherein the subscript m is selected from 1-3 and each R.sup.9d is independently H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or halo.

27. A compound according to claims 24, wherein each R.sup.9d is H.

28. A compound according to claim 24, wherein m is 1 or 2 and each R.sup.9d is Me, Cl or F.

29. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula VIa, VIb, VId, or VIe: ##STR00429## ##STR00430## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

30. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula VIIa, VIIb, VIId, or VIIe: ##STR00431## ##STR00432## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

31. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula VIIIa, VIIIb, VIIId, or VIIIe: ##STR00433## ##STR00434## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

32. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula IXa, IXb, IXd, or IXe: ##STR00435## ##STR00436## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

33. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula Xa, Xb, Xd, or Xe: ##STR00437## ##STR00438## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl.

34. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula XIa, XIb, XId, or XIe: ##STR00439## ##STR00440## and R.sup.8b is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl; andR.sup.9e is hydrogen, Me, or CN.

35. A compound according to any one of claims 29-34, wherein R.sup.8b is H.

36. A compound according to any one of claims 29-34, wherein R.sup.8b is cycloalkyl.

37. A compound according to any one of claims 29-34, wherein R.sup.8b is cyclopropyl.

38. A compound according to any one of claims 29-34, wherein R.sup.8b is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl.

39. A compound according to any one of claims 29-34, wherein R.sup.8b is Me, Et, Pr, i-Pr, t-Bu, i-Bu, CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2CONH.sub.2, or cyclopropylmethyl.

40. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula XIIa, XIIb, XIIc or XIId: ##STR00441## ##STR00442##

41. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula XIIIa, XIIIb, XIIIc or XIIId: ##STR00443##

42. A compound according to claim 1, wherein the compound is according to formula XVa, or XVb: ##STR00444## and L is a bond, --CO--, or --O--CH.sub.2--CH.sub.2--; the ring P is ##STR00445## and R.sup.8b is H, Me, i-Pr, t-Bu,CH.sub.2CONH.sub.2, cyclopropylmethyl, or CH.sub.2CF.sub.3.

43. A compound according to claim 42, wherein L is a bond and the ring P is ##STR00446##

44. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1.

45. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 44, wherein the carrier is a parenteral carrier.

46. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 44, wherein the carrier is an oral carrier.

47. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 44, wherein the carrier is a topical carrier.

48. A compound according to claim 25, wherein each R.sup.9d is H.

49. A compound according to claim 26, wherein each R.sup.9d is H.

50. A compound according to claim 25, wherein m is 1 or 2 and each R.sup.9d is Me, Cl or F.

51. A compound according to claim 26, wherein m is 1 or 2 and each R.sup.9d is Me, Cl or F.